Democrats to let longtime ban on offshore drilling expire

[Wretched Excess]

It will still be a potent campaign issue for the republicans in the election, since the democrats are saying
it will be decided after the election, and everyone knows where they and The BarackStar! are on offshore
drilling.  all in all, this is actually pretty good news

Democrats to let longtime ban on offshore drilling expire

WASHINGTON - A longstanding congressional ban on new offshore oil drilling will expire in seven days, with Democratic leaders conceding yesterday they stand no chance of renewing it this year over President Bush's opposition - and in an election year where gasoline prices have become a hot campaign issue.

By lapsing, the issue will gain greater prominence in the presidential election because it will be up to the next president and Congress to decide whether to renew all or part of the ban, which first was imposed in 1981 to put much of the California coast off-limits to new rigs and expanded to much of the rest of the US coast in 1985.

"This next election will decide what our drilling policy will be," said Representative David Obey, a Wisconsin Democrat, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain, like Bush, has urged lifting the ban entirely, while Democratic nominee Barack Obama has said that he would consider limited offshore drilling as part of a broader energy-policy compromise.
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Once the ban expires, oil companies could seek federal approval to drill 3 miles offshore or farther. Supporters of the ban hope that before any new drilling can begin, they can renew it, or at least win approval of compromise legislation that would let states decide whether to permit energy exploration 50 miles off their coast.

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[thundley4]

I wonder how many states would choose to allow drilling, if the choice is left to them?  Now if they can get a deal with the oil companies like Alaska's Permanent Fund, then more people in the states might support drilling.

[Chris_]

This is a good start.  Now we need more refineries, coal burning plants and nuclear (nu-cu-lar if your last name is Bush  ) plants.

[Crazy Horse]

This is a good start.  Now we need more refineries, coal burning plants and nuclear (nu-cu-lar if your last name is Bush  ) plants.

Biden said no more coal in the USA.